There are few things more powerful than a woman who knows how to wield a smile. You can immediately improve the first impression people get of you. It sometimes helps an awkward situation. You can even improve your own mood. But there’s a lot that goes into the “picture perfect” smile. It’s not all about grinning a big and as bright as possible. Let’s get into it.

Practicing won't hurtPracticing a smile might sound a little weird, but the truth is it helps. We all have a certain muscle memory that allows us to recall certain movements almost unconsciously. The same can be said of your smile. There are facial exercises you can do, rumor has it "working out". your face is a thing. A little practice makes it a lot easier to smile spontaneausly and when you feel necessary.

Get those pearly whites outConfidence is a huge aspect when it comes to your smile, but some people have parts of their body or their aesthetic that they are less confident about. If you’re not happy with your teeth, it can be very difficult to feel like letting out a genuine smile. Perhaps, you may feel self-conscious. It's alright. If you really feel the need to change it up, there are plenty of teeth whitening remedies that can help you maintain that whiteness longer. A whitening procedure at the dentist can help you get to the level of confidence you need, while ongoing home treatments can help you retain it for longer. Being able to smile freely without worrying about your teeth may definitely help that confidence, but never forget how worthy you are already are. Love yourself no matter what.

Avoid those stainsTo retain that whiteness, you need to make sure you’re not doing too much to endanger it as well. There are plenty of foods and drinks that can stain our teeth, discoloring them not just in the short-term, but even worsening as time goes on. You don’t have to completely avoid things like coffee, wine, or strawberries. Just take them in moderation and ensure that you give your teeth a quick brush and a rinse after you indulge in them. The staining process only really takes hold when those foods and drinks are left to linger and seep into your teeth.

You can smile with your eyesExperts have figured out that the mouth and your teeth aren’t the only things that make for a beautiful smile. A genuine smile reaches all the way up your cheeks, raising them so as to give a distinctly warm look to the eyes. During conversation, in particular, those eyes are where most people look. So, if you’re not feeling confident about your smile, look to your eyes, as well. Also, make sure that when you practice your smile, use your eyes and cheeks. And be yourself! And if you're ever looking for remedies for the eyes, which is one of the most sensitive and driest parts of our body, there are many that work for you and natural. Consider the question that leads to the link: Could you tighten wrinkles under your eyes so that they look more youthful and vibrant?

Posture mattersIf the smile is the tool you use to express yourself, then your posture is all about creating the best possible expression for it. Sure, a shy smile can be a charming thing from time to time in the right situation. But when you’re trying to express confidence, openness, and honesty, then having an upright, front-facing posture can do a lot of good. It can help you look and feel relaxed. This is of course applicable when taking pictures. Keeping your head up when you smile, shoulders back, and putting your body to an angle helps capture a nice profile.

Make it genuineWe’ve mentioned how a “genuine” and “honest” smile is one of the most effective. That might seem like it contrasts the idea of practicing your smile and your posture, but that’s not true. You can be genuine and practice at the same time. In fact, you can practice being genuine. When you smile, try not to focus on the situation you’re trying to work in, the goal of the smile, or how you’re being perceived. Conjure up positive thoughts, whether it’s about the occasion you’re celebrating, the humor or kindness or care of the person you’re smiling with or to, or even just simple reasons to be grateful. Positivity shines through in a smile. ​

Dress it upThe perfect tone is always fun and helps keep up the mood and sometime adds a bit of extra confidence. Your smile strikes with the right shade of lipstick to help contrast your skin, highlight the movements of your mouth, and make your teeth look all the more dazzling. For a date or a more formal occasion, few things work as well as a deep, impactful red. But even a nude or darker, duller tone can add a lot of character to your smile in a more casual circumstance. Of course, make sure you take care of your lips to avoid dry or chapped skin, as well.

Smiling is proven to help bring out a smile. Perhaps when we're feeling blue, trying it out may even help.